ADVOCACY RESOURCES

Revenue sharing is the most flexible form of state aid to counties, which makes it the most effective method to fund generational investments in public services — with decisions made at the local level.
MAC supports the creation of a Revenue Sharing Trust Fund (RSTF) funded through a statutory earmark of a portion of the state sales tax.
This earmark would be 8 percent of the first 4 percentage points of the state’s sale tax. The money deposited would stay in the fund for distribution to counties, cities, villages and townships and not lapse to the state General Fund at the end of each fiscal year.
Such a funding system is what revenue sharing was originally designed to do — share in the state’s revenue. If sales tax revenue goes up, local allocations go up, if sales tax revenue falls, so do allocations, just like it does for constitutional revenue sharing for cities, villages and townships.

Michigan legislators are expected to debate major changes to the state’s property tax system in 2026.
MAC opposes any reduction in county property tax revenues and any additional limits on county property tax growth.
Beyond opposing cuts outright, MAC will advocate that any county property tax reductions enacted by the Legislature be fully and reliably reimbursed by the state through a secure funding mechanism that bypasses the annual appropriations process, ensuring county revenues are protected regardless of year-to-year budget negotiations.

Since the creation of the Disabled Veterans Property Tax Exemption in 2013, counties have absorbed tens of millions of dollars in lost property tax revenue each year.
MAC supports continuing the exemption for disabled veterans but maintains that the state must fully reimburse counties for the resulting revenue loss.
MAC backs a permanent reimbursement solution, such as a refundable income tax credit paid directly to local governments, to ensure counties are made whole for revenues forgone under the exemption.

County veterans service grants were shortchanged last year due to more counties utilizing the grant for veteran services and a significant state miscalculation in awarded amounts. This forced those county recipients to absorb $3.5 million in reductions from the original grant award.
MAC is seeking state reimbursement of those lost revenues and supports Rep. Julie Rogers’ House Bill 4423 (2025), which would provide supplemental emergency relief to backfill county veteran services.
MAC will work to increase the amount the state allocates for veteran service grants to reflect the rise in demand and utilization of the funds.

Michigan counties are facing another looming deadline in their authority to collect fees from criminal defendants to help fund the court system in Michigan. The current authority to collect those fees is set to sunset on Dec. 31, 2026.
Counties are by far the largest funding source for Michigan’s trial courts.
The extension of the authority to collect these fees has been extended three times in the last decade; it is imperative the sunset be extended again to guarantee court funding. Without the ability to collect, counties will be left to backfill over $40 million in necessary funding for courts.

Michigan’s tourism economy depends on counties’ ability to provide safe, reliable and responsive public services for both residents and the millions of visitors who travel to the state each year.
Counties in high-tourism regions routinely experience seasonal population surges that far exceed their permanent tax base, placing disproportionate strain on local law enforcement, emergency medical services, and emergency dispatch systems.
Many counties lack the fiscal capacity to scale public safety staffing to meet peak seasonal demand while continuing to maintain service levels for year-round residents.
Limited availability of affordable housing for seasonal workers — including public safety personnel and service-sector employees — undermines counties’ ability to support the workforce necessary to serve visitors and sustain local economies.
Legislative action to provide all counties with equitable access to funding for public safety staffing, workforce housing solutions, and essential services is necessary to protect Michigan’s tourism industry, safeguard residents and visitors, and maintain the state’s standing as a premier travel destination.

Federal Priorities

Director of Governmental Affairs
bosworth@micounties.org

517-372-5379

Governmental Affairs Specialist
grimm@micounties.org

517-372-5375

Governmental Affairs Specialist
mmain@micounties.org

517-372-5377

HB 4599 of 2025
on October 3, 2026 at 2:58 pm
Crimes: organized; gift card fraud; provide for. Amends 2012 PA 455 (MCL 752.1081 - 752.1087) by adding sec. 3a. TIE BAR WITH: HB 4598'25Last Action: 10/1/2026 - RETURNED TO HOUSE
HB 4302 of 2025
on October 3, 2026 at 2:58 pm
Vehicles: emergency vehicles; exception to commercial driver license for authorized emergency vehicles of Michigan Mutual Aid Box Alarm System; create. Amends sec. 312e of 1949 PA 300 (MCL 257.312e). TIE BAR WITH: HB 4301'25Last Action: 10/1/2026 - RETURNED TO HOUSE
HB 4598 of 2025
on October 3, 2026 at 2:58 pm
Crimes: organized; violations of the organized retail crime act; expand. Amends sec. 4 of 2012 PA 455 (MCL 752.1084). Last Action: 10/1/2026 - RETURNED TO HOUSE
HB 4301 of 2025
on October 3, 2026 at 2:58 pm
Vehicles: emergency vehicles; definition of authorized emergency vehicle; expand. Amends secs. 2 & 698 of 1949 PA 300 (MCL 257.2 & 257.698). TIE BAR WITH: HB 4302'25Last Action: 10/1/2026 - RETURNED TO HOUSE
HB 5514 of 2026
on October 3, 2026 at 2:58 pm
Children: other; prohibition of use of certain restraints while transporting youths to certain qualified residential treatment programs; provide for. Creates new act. Last Action: 10/1/2026 - RETURNED TO HOUSE